Safe tissue puncture device

Abstract

A method for safely penetrating the tissue of a gastric wall includes deploying a tissue puncture assembly including a suction device proximate the gastric wall tissue, applying a vacuum source to the suction device to draw a portion of the gastric wall tissue thereto and extending a needle through the portion of gastric wall tissue drawn into contact with the suction device. A device for safely penetrating the tissue of a gastric wall includes a tissue puncture assembly including a suction device in the form of a cup with suction ports therein and an open end. A needle is surrounded by the cup and extends through the cup toward the open end.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The invention relates to a method and apparatus for gastric volume reduction. More particularly, the invention relates to methods and apparatuses for safely penetrating the gastric wall with a needle during gastric volume reduction procedures.[0003]2. Description of the Related Art[0004]Obesity is a medical condition affecting more than 30% of the population in the United States. Obesity affects an individual's personal quality of life and contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality. Obese patients, i.e., individuals having a body mass index (“BMI”) greater than 30, often have a high risk of associated health problems (e.g., diabetes, hypertension and respiratory insufficiency), including early death. With this in mind, and as those skilled in the art will certainly appreciate, the monetary and physical costs associated with obesity are substantial. In fact, it is estimated the costs relating to obesity are in ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a method for safely penetrating the tissue of a gastric wall. The method includes deploying tissue puncture assembly including a suction device proximate the g

Problems solved by technology

Obesity affects an individual's personal quality of life and contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality.

Obese patients, i.e., individuals having a body mass index (“BMI”) greater than 30, often have a high risk of associated health problems (e.g., diabetes, hypertension and respiratory insufficiency), including early death.

Studies have shown that conservative treatment with diet and exercise alone may be ineffective for reducing excess body weight in many patients.

This procedure is highly complex and is commonly utilized to treat people exhibiting morbid obesity.

The conventional RYGB procedure requires a great deal of operative time.

Because of the degree of invasiveness, post-operative recovery can be quite lengthy and painful.

Still more than 100,000 RYGB procedures are performed annually in the United States alone, costing significant health care dollars.

This p

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